Suction cleaner



Feb. 28, 1939. D SMELUE N 2,148,656

SUCT I ON CLEANER Filed Dec. 11, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l 24 INVENTOR as asfianala 61 Sine/[1e May 515144444 ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1939. sMELLlE2,148,656

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 11, 1936- 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 my 5 mvsm'on I0mm); 0. Sine/[1'0 ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1939. LLIE "2,148,656"

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 11, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR flonaldJmelllb ATTORN EY Feb.'28, 1939. D, 5 LL 2,148,656

SUCTIONCLEANER Filed Dec. 11, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Don aid 0. Jmellzby wf ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 28, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANERDonald G. Smellie, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, NorthCanton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application December 11, 1936, Serial No. 115,284

16 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in suction cleaners and moreparticularly to a cleaner that is capable of being sed for off-the-floorcleaning operation in addition to its normal onthe-fioor operation, theterm off-the-floor having reference to cleaning operations carried onthrough a hose and auxiliary dusting tools.

The particular type of suction cleaner embodying the novel featureshereinafter to be set forth, differs somewhat from the conventionalcleaner design in that the motor and suction fan are housed within acylindric casing extending horizontally of the cleaner and carried by awheeled casing forming the main nozzle. Trunnions support the cylindriccasing so that it is free to turn on its axis and through the swingingof the handle fixed thereto. A dirt receiving bag is detachablyconnected at one end to an exhaust outlet extending radially from theportion of cylindric housing forming the fan chamber and is attached orsuspended from the handle at its upper or outer end and, since thehandle and the outlet connections are both integral with the rotativemotor and fan housing, the dirt bag swings with the handle and as a partof the same unit. A suction cleaner of this particular type is capableof being converted for offthe-floor cleaning operation as is true alsoof other styles of cleaners following the more conventional design. So,also, there are certain functional changes or rearrange- .ments that arenecessary in converting a suction cleaner from one mode of operation tothe other and'these will be briefly enumerated. In the first place, itis customary to equip suction cleaners of the portable handle maneuveredtype with a headlight carried centrally and just above the nozzle andotherwise arranged to illuminate the area. immediately in front of thecleaner, thus affording the operator a better vision of the surface overwhich the cleaner is being maneuvered. However, a headlight is of no useduring off-thefloor cleaning operations, and although a switch may beprovided for turning off the headlight by hand, it is preferred tocontrol it entirely through the movement of the handle, that is, bymoving the, handle into and from its so-oalled storage position, theheadlight is automatically switched off and on.

Secondly, it is desirable to increase the suction created by the cleanerduring off-the-fioor cleaning operation in order to compensate for theloss of suction due to the greatly increased length of the air passagethrough the hose. Increased suction is obtained by increasing the speedof the suction fan directly connected with said motor and increasedmotor speed is obtained by cutting out more of the resistance in serieswith the motor field winding. It might be stated that it is customary toprovide suction cleaners with two rates of motor speed for normal floorcleaning opera-- tion, namely, "high and low speeds, and controlledthrough a. switch located near the upper end of the handle. Thus, forthe ofi-the-floor cleaning operation, an even higher or so-called thirdspeed is provided. But obviously, there is no particular necessity forrearranging the electrical circuits of the cleaner until the conversionfrom on-the-fioor to oiI-the-fioor operation actually takes place andtherefore it is proposed to control a third speed switch by contact withthe converter member as it is applied to the cleaner. Moreover, whilethe motor is operating with the switch on third speed it is advisablethat the finger operated switch on the handle remain in operation sothat the cleaner can be stopped and started in the usual manner.Therefore, it is further proposed to open both the normal high and low"speed motor circuits preparatory to switching over to third speedoperation by means of handle controlled switches whereby the currentsupply to the motor is shut off as the handle is shifted into itsupright or storage position. And further in this connection, it isproposed to combine the handle control of the motor with the control ofthe headlight, with the result that both circuits will be opened andclosed simultaneously with the movement of the handle into and out ofthe so-called storage position.

But it is to be further noted that inasmuch as the third speed motorcircuit is controlled by the application of the converter member,whereas the normal motor speed circuitsare controlled by the movement ofthe handle, it follows that the handle should first be moved intostorage position to open the motor circuit completely, whereupon theconverter member may then be attached and the change to third speedmade. Obviously then,

, means should be provided for preventing the third speed circuit beingclosed until the normal speed circuits are open, and vice versa.Therefore, still another object of the invention is to provide aninterlocking arrangement which will prevent the application of the"converter member to the cleaner until the handle has been shifted intoits storage position.

And finally, the cleaner of the present disclosure is equipped with arotative agitator extending lengthwise within the nozzle and having protruding heaters and brushes which are designed to contact the carpetsurface during normal on-thenormally driven. In the present disclosureit is proposed to throw the agitator automatically out of operation bymeans of a clutch interposed between the fagitator and the motor, saidclutch being controlled by the'movement of the handle with the resultthat, by the act of swinging the handle into its storage position, theagitator is thrown out of operation during the period that the handleremains in that position.

Thus it will be seen that there are incorporated in the presentdisclosure, two groups of operating changes that accompany theconversion of the cleaner from on-the-floor to olf-the-floor operation,one group being controlled by the movement of the handle and the othergroup (in this case the third speed change) being controlled by theapplication of the converter member and finally, the interposing ofinterlocking means between groups so that one change cannot be madeuntil another has been completed, or more specifically, the means forpreventing the application of the converter member until the handle hasbeen thrown upwardly into storage position, and opening the motorcircuit preparatory to the shift to third speed.

With this introduction a more detailed description of the variousfeatures of the invention will .now be described in greater detail andin connection with the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a general view inside elevation of a suction cleaner of the general type hereinbeforedescribed embodying the novel features of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the cleaner with portions ofthe outer casing wall broken away and parts shown in section,

Figure 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the centralportion of the cleaner as taken on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a detailed view in cross section taken on line 4--4 ofFigure 3,

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the cleaner body witha portion at one end shown in section as taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation corresponding somewhat to theshowing of Figure 5 but with the motor casing and handle assembly swungupwardly into the storage position of the handle and the convertedmember attached for converter operation,

Figure 7 'is a bottom plan view of the cleaner corresponding generallyto the showing of Figure 2 but with the motor casing and handle assemblyswung into storage position and the converter member attached, as sho inFigure 6,

Figure 8 is an enlarged de ail view in cross section through theconverter port into the fan chamber showing the manner in which the portcover is normally locked in place to prevent the attachment of theconverter member,

Figure 9 is a detail View in cross section through the converter port astaken on line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a detail view in cross section taken through the converterport with the converter fitting in place as taken on line. Ill-40 ofFigure 6, and

Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the the body of the cleanercomprises two relatively movable sections, namely, a wheeled casing Idevoted for the most part to the formation of a nozzle la extendingtransversely across the front "of the cleaner and a cylindric casing orhousing 2 rotatively supported on said casing l with its axis arrangedhorizontally and extending transversely thereof, and including thehandle 3 as a unitary part thereof.

' Referring in greater particular to the casing I, the nozzle portion lathereof, is relatively shallow and wide although the suction mouthoccupies but the forward half of its width as clearly shown in Figure 2.At the extreme outer ends of the nozzle and immediately behind thenozzle suction mouth are downwardly facing open cavities in which arelocated a pair of supporting wheels 4-4 which are journalled at the endof a transverse shaft 5, extending transversely beneath the underside ofthe casing I and supported in suitable bearing brackets 6, 6. Theextremities of the shaft 5 are bent at right angles to form a crank arm5a extending in a general forward direction and carrying the wheels 4, 4at their ends, so that by imparting a slight rocking motion to theshaft, the forward or nozzle portions of the casing I may be raised andlowered bodily with respect to the surface on which the cleaner isresting. Manually adjustable means are proa threaded stem 1 pivotallyconnected with a crank arm at one end of the shaft 5 '(as shown at thetop in Figure 2), said stem extending vertically through the top wall ofthe nozzle portion la of the casing I and being surmounted by anadjusting knob 8 (Figure 1). This device for adjusting the height of thenozzle is old in the art. and therefore need not be described in greaterdetail.

Now,-just inwardly from the ends of the nozzl portion of the casing lare two rearwardly extending hollow sections 99 communicating at theirforward and lower ends with the nozzle chamber and following the upwardand rearwardly curved contour terminate in semi-circular ends, includingan integral marginal flange 9a surrounding and outlining large annularopenings 9b in the innerlaterally facing walls thereof, all as clearlyshown in Figure 5. These rearwardly extending casing sections 9, 9 forma rearwardly facing U-shaped recess in which is located the rotativehousing 2 which is journalled in a manner presently to be described.

Fastened to the inner faces of flanges 9a of the segment 9, 9 are platesl0, I0 permanently fixed thereto by means of screws H to thus becomeintegral parts of the casing I. These plates l0, I0

are extended rearwardly and downwardly in the midway between the frontand rear pair of supporting wheels.

Referring now to the rotative housing 2, onehalf (on the bottom inFigure 2) encloses the driving motor l4 while the remainder forms fanchamber l5. Within the fan chamber is located the suction fan I6 havingdirect driving connection with the motor i4, being mounted on anextension of the armature shaft a thereof. The portion of the casing 2which constitutes the fan chamber is identified not only by the fanenclosed therein but by a somewhat helical enlargement graduallyincreasing in width and radial dimension throughout substantiallyone-half the circumference of the housing and then extendingtangentially therefrom to form the flanged exhaust outlet l5a from thefan chamber and to which the fabric dust bag i1 is removably attachedthrough the medium of clamping bolts l8 Immediately above the outletconnection lIa from the fan chamber and formed integral with the housing2 is a socket member I! adapted to receive the cleaner handle 3. Exceptfor the mounting of the handle on the rotative housing 2, there isnothing unusual in its construction or equipment, being preferably ahollow tube through which the current supply conductors pass, afterentering the handle near its outer end as a long extension cord 20 inaccordance with the approved practice Figures 1 and 3).

It is to be noted in passing that inasmuch as the handle 3 is integralwith the rotative motor housing 2 and the dirt bag I1 is carried byboth, the bag becomes a part of the rotative motor and fan chamber unit,and hence is not sub- :jected to the usual bending and flexing thatobtains where the handle swings relative to-the fan chamber. Hence muchof the destructive wear and tear on the bag is eliminated.

Referring to the mounting of the rotative cylindric housing 2 on thewheeled casing l and between the rearwardly extending sections 8, 9

thereof, it will be noted, as shown in Figure 2,.

that the end walls of the housing 2 are formed by circular end plates2|, 2| having centrally disposed annular openings, and that the platesl0, l0 which" form the supporting arms for the rear wheels l3, 13 of thecasing I, are also provided with annular openings registering with theend openings in the housing 2, and surrounded by inwardly extendingmarginal flanges 22 which fit and project into said openings. Theseannular flanges 22, 22 form bearings and with the addition of suitablesealing rings as at 23, complete the trunnions for the cylindric housing2.

Now, the openings at each end of the rotative housing 2 are enclosed bythe ends of the hollow sections 9, 9 of the casing l which formpassageways leading forwardly to the nozzle chamber. Referring to Figure2, the passageway through the section 9 at the left hand end of thehousing 2 communicates directly with the fan chamber, and it is throughthis passageway that the dust-laden air passes from the nozzle chamberinto the fan chamber and finally discharges from the exhaust outlet I5aand into the dirt bag ll.

At the opposite end of the cylindric housing 2 (the lower end in Figure2), the armature shaft Ha projects through the opening and into theupper end of the passageway formed by the companion section 9, carryingat its end a drive pulley 24, which ultimately drives a rotativeagitator 25 extending lengthwise of the nozzle chamber and just abovethe suction mouth.

The rotary agitator 25 consists of a metallic shell having brush andbeater elements projecting from its surface, the tip ends of theseelements projecting a short distance below the plane of the suctionmouth for contact with the carpet surface. The agitator is driven fromthe pulley end of the motor shaft through an arrangement of belts and anintermediate clutch mechanism operative to throw the agitator out ofoperation when the cleaner is being used for oii-the-floor cleaneroperations as previously described. However, a detailed description ofagitator drive and clutch mechanism will be preceded by a discussion ofcertain other features of the cleaner construction.

It has been previously stated that the cleaner is equipped with aheadlight for illuminating the floor surface in front of the nomle. Thismeans of illumination consists of a small lamp 2' enclosed within ahoodlike enclosure 21, formed integral with the top wall of the wheelcasing I and located centrally of and immediately forward of therotative motor and fan housing 2. This enclosure or hood is open at itsfront side and is so shaped as to direct the rays from the lamp in aforwardly and downwardly inclined direction. The lamp is supported in astandard socket and current for the lamp is carried thereto through aconductor cable 28 forming a part of the electrical circuit of thecleaner. As shown in the wiring diagram, Figure 11, the lamp circuit 28is connected in parallel with the high and low motor speed circuits andlikewise with the third speed circuit for converter suction operation.

As further shown in Figures 3 and 4 a small switch box 29 is fastened onthe inside surface of the cylindric housing 2, occupying a portion ofthe space surrounding the motor ll. The normal position of this switchbox is toward the front of the housing and, in the swinging movement ofthe latter, traverses an arc of substantially 90 degrees. This switchbox is made of a suitable insulating material, such as a molded plasticsubstance, and anchored in the wall thereof is a group of three switches30, 3| and I2, having external binding posts and fixed contacts withinthe switch box, the latter being adapted to contact corresponding springcontact fingers 30a, Sid, and 32a, respectively, consisting of flexiblemetal strips anchored in the wall of the switch box and also providedwith externally exposed binding posts.

Also mounted within the switch box 29 is a switch bar 33 extendingtransversely adjacent the free ends of the parallel contact fingers andhaving a centrally disposed button-like projection 33a which passesradially through an aperture formed in the cylindric wall of the housing2, and a short distance beyond, so that by pressing inwardly on thebutton the switch bar will open the three circuits simultaneouslythrough the switches 30, 3| and 32. Presently, the means forautomatically pressing the button of the switch bar inwardh to openthese three circuits will be described, but for the present it is to beunderstood that normally the several circuits remain closed by theinherent resiliency of the spring contact fingers forming the movablemembers of the three switches. As shown in the wiring diagram, Figure11, the intermediate switch 3| controls the lamp circuit 28 while theoutermost switches 30 and 32 control the normal high" and low speedmotor circuits respectively. No

, attempt will be made to identify each and every conductor making upthe electrical circuits of the cleaner since they follow standardelectrical practice, although it may be pointed out, and as is readilydiscernible from the wiring diagram of Figure 11, that the threecircuits mentioned, namely, the high and low speed motor circuits andthe headlight circuit, will be simultaneously opened and closed by theswitch bar 33. Again, it will be noted that the third speed circuit (andso designated on the wiring diagram Figure 11) is connected in parallelwith the high speed circuit so that with the low and high speed motorcircuits open, the third speed circuit can be controlled either by thehandle mounted switch or by a separate switch operative by the suctionconverter member in its application to the cleaner, as will presently bepointed out.

But continuing the discussion of the three circuits arranged to besimultaneously opened and closed by the button pressed switch bar 33,attention is now directed to Figures 2, 3 and 6 in particular, wherethere will be observed a wedged shape cam 34 projecting horizontally andrearwardly from the rear of the nozzle chamber near the base of thecasing l, and terminating almost in contact with the outer surface ofthe cylindric housing 2. This cam, with its surface substantiallytangential to the periphery of the housing .2, is located in the path ofbutton projection 33a of the switch bar 33. In Figure 3 it will be notedthat the handle 3 extends horizontally and parallel to the floor leveland that the angular position of the cylindric housing 2 is such thatthe switch box 29 with the switch button 33a projecting therefrom ispositioned just behind the headlight hood 21. Now, by rotating orraising the handle to its vertical or so-called storage position asshown in Figure 6, the entire motor and fan assembly is swung in acounterclockwise direction through an arc of approximately degrees thuscarrying the switch button 33a downwardly and in contact with theinclined face of the cam 34, this contact pressing the switch bar 33inwardly and thus opening the head light circuit as well as the high andlow speed motor circuits. In short, the movement of a handle into itsupright or storage position puts both the motor and headlight out ofoperation.

Now, as explained in the introduction, the movement of the handle intostorage position is the first step in the operation of converting thecleaner for off-the-floor cleaning operation. The second step, then, isthe mounting of the converter member to which one end of the suctionhose is connected.

As clearly shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, there are provided in thevertical and outwardly facing side walls of the two integral sections9,9 of the casing I, annular openings or ports 35, 35 concentric withand having substantially the same diameter as the openings in the end ofthe cylindric housing. These ports 35, 35 are normally closed byremovable cover plates 36 and 31 circular in shape and slightly convexoutwardly, being held in place by means of diametrically arranged leafsprings 36a. and 31a respectively, riveted to the backs of these platesand provided with rounded end clips which snap over the edges of theports when the cover plates are pressed into place.

Figures 8 and 9 show the manner in which the cover plate 31 for the port35 at the fan end of the cleaner is held in place, this port being theone into which the converter member is inserted in the act of convertingthe cleaner to off-thefioor operation. This cover plate is not onlyequipped in the spring clips. for holding it in place, but with alocking or latching device which prevents its removal from the port andtherefore the attachment of the converter member, unless the handle hasfirst been swung to its upright or storage position. Moreover, after thehandle has been moved to its upright position and the conversion made,the latching device also acts to hold the handle in that position untilthe cleaner has been restored to position for oif-the-floor operation.

Thus, the converter port cover plate 3'! is provided with an integraltongue 38 projecting at right angles from its inner face and adjacentthe edge thereof. This tongue is elongated somewhat in a radicaldirection and extending inwardly from its tip end is a notch 38a.curving slightly in an outward direction toward the periphery of theplate and terminating at its bottom in a rounded seat as clearly shownin Figure 8.

Now, coacting with the tongue 38 on the cover plate 31 is aspring-pressed latch member 39 extending horizontally inward from theedge of the plate just clearing the inner surface of the flange formingthe opening or eye to the fan chamber, and pivotally mountedintermediate its ends upon a fixed bracket 40 located just outside ofthe said eye. The bracket 40 includes a pin 40a around which is coiled atorsion spring 4| acting upon the latch member to press its innermostend against the edge of the fan eye. The outer extremity of latch member39 is a slightly enlarged and rounded end and is adapted to fit withinslot 38a of the port member 3'! and in its latched position. Thus, whenthe port cover 31 is in place the outer end of the latch member engagesthe notched tongue.38 and the latch member is held stationary with itsinner end in contact with the edge of the opening leading into the fanchamher.

But, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, a notch 42 is cut in the edge of thecentral opening in the adjacent end plate 2| of the rotative housing 2immediately inwardly. from the edge of the annular flange 22. Moreover,this notch 42 is so located circumferentially of said opening, that inswinging the handle into its upright position, said notch will registerwith the inner end of the latch member, allowing the latter to rockslightly under the action of its spring and into latching engagementtherewith at the same time releasing the cover plate so that the lattercan now be removed to permit the converter member to be inserted intothe port 35. a

Thus, it will be seen that thelatch member performs a two-fold duty,namely, locking the port cover plate 31 against removal and thuspreventing the insertion ofthe converter member into the converter portuntil the handle has first been swung upwardly into its storage positionand, secondly, having completed the conversion it prevents the handlefrom being shifted or displaced from its upright or storage positionuntil after the converter member has been removed and the port coverplate 3'! replaced.

And finally, to prevent any possible damage to the latch member as theresult of an attempt on the part of the operator to swing the handlewhile it is locked in storage position, metal reinforcing segments 43,43' are preferably welded to the inner face of the flange 22 forming thefan eye, these segments 43, 43 being spaced apart circumferentially toprovide a notch for the latch member and thus relieve the strain orshock resulting from a sudden blow or force applied to the handle whilestill latched in storage position.

Thus it will now be seen that having once removed the cover plate 31,having previously shifted the handle into its storage position, theconversion operation can now be completed together with the switch overto the high-speed motor operation as will now be described.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 6, 7 and 10 the convertermember 44 is nothing more than a light metal elbow fitting having at oneend a portion of a slightly reduced external diameter dimensioned to fitsnugly into the converter port 35, and cutting off the normal air inletpassageway to the fan' chamber by seating the "eye thereto. As shown inFigure 10, a pair of spring locking clips 45, 45 are attached adjacentthe end of the fitting and extending rearwardly are adapted to engagethe edges of the converter port 35 to hold the fitting in place. Anannular shoulder 44a insures the proper seating of the fitting in theconverter port and a longitudinal slot 44b in the outer end surfaceprovides clearance for the latch member 39. The opposite end of theconverter fitting is arranged to receive one end of the dusting toolhose 46 with a suitable finger releasable latching device.

Now recalling that the application of the converter member 44 is to beaccompanied by a switch over to the third speed, the means foraccomplishing this now will be described with particular reference toFigures 2, 5, and '1.

Immediately below the converter port 35 on the fan chamber side of thecleaner is a switch box 41 formed by wall segments integral with thecasing l and in which are mounted the parts of a switch for opening andclosing the so-called third speed circuit of the motor. This switchcomprises a spring plunger 48 extending horizontally and transversely ofthe switch box just beneath the converter port and supported for limitedendwise movement within a bearing 41a formed by the rear wall of theswitch box 47. (Figure 5.) One end of the plunger normally projectsthrough a bushing 49 at the outer end of the bearing, a collar 48a onthe plunger limiting the projecting end to about one-fourth of an inchin length. Carried by the plunger 48 is a contact member 50 of asuitable insulating material and having the form of a finger projectinglaterally and forwardly into the main part of the switch box or casingin which the circuit closing members are located. A coil springsurrounds the plunger 48 and bearing against the annular fiange, thecollar 48a adjacent holds the plunger in its normal position.

Located in the path of the contact member 50 carried by the plunger 48is a pair of spring contact members 52, 52 mounted in spaced relation onsuitable insulated supports. These contact members 52, 52 form theswitch in the third speed circuit 53 of the motor connected in parallelwith the normal high speed circuit as shown in Figure 11.

The third speed circuit controlling switch is manifestly open duringnormal cleaning operation and closed only during converter operation,the closing of the circuit being accomplished by the application of theconverter fitting 44 and directly by the pressing inwardly of theplunger 48 of the switch by a contact finger 54', integral with thefitting 44 and projecting radially from the end portion which isinserted into the converter port. The action of the third speed switchaccompanying the attachment of the converter fitting 44 will be clearfrom a comparison of Figures 2 and '1.

Thus to summarize the steps in changing over the motor for oif-the-fiooroperation; first, swinging the handle into its storage positionsimultaneously opens the normal low and high speed motor circuitswitches 3| and 32, as well as the headlight circuit switch 3 i ,and,second, by the attachment of the converter fitting 44 the third speedmotor circuit switch 52 is closed.

All of the several handle or converter controlled changes incident toconversion to otf-the-fioor operation, have been described in detailwith the exception of the clutch mechanism which renders the agitatorinoperative. Referring now particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 7, thisclutch mechanism and its operation will be readily understood.Essentially, the clutch consists of a simple form of cone clutchintroduced between a pair of drive belts, one extending from themotor-driven pulley to an idler pulley carried by an intermediate orJack shaft and the other from a pulley on the jack shaft to theagitator.

The clutch mechanism is preferably located on the underside of the maincasing I, just behind the nozzle opening and in line with the pulley endof the motor. A two-part bearing 55, having its upper half formedintegral with the casing l is located just inwardly from the casingsection 8 forming the passageway for the drive belt. A horizontaltransversely extending jack shaft 58 is journaled in this bearing, beingenclosed throughout the greater part of its length by a sleeve 51 whichin turn is supported by ball bearings 58, 58 forming a part of the mainclutch bearing 55. One end of the clutch assembly extends endwise beyondthe bearing 55 and to the right as shown in Figure '7, and into achamber or cavity closed at its bottom by a removable plate 58 butopening rearwardly to the passageway for the primary drive belt andopening forwardly into the nozzle chamber, this chamber being actuallyan enlargement of the passage formed by the rearwardly extending section9 of the casing i on the motor side of the cleaner.

Mounted on the extended end of the shaft 56 is an idler pulley 60 inalignment with the pulley 24 at the end of the motor shaft Ma andcarrying a drive belt 6 I. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the idlerpulley 60 is journalled on the bearing sleeve 51 and carries on itsouter face an integral friction clutch member 60a of a frustro-conicalshape arranged concentrically with the axis of the shaft 56. Co-actingwith the clutch member 60a is a complementary clutch member 62 fixed tothe end of the shaft 56 and including a pulley 62a carrying a belt 63extending forwardly and engaging a belt groove 25a near the adjacent endof the agitator 25.

The opposite or inner end of the shaft 56 together with its surroundingsleeve 51 projects a short distance beyond the same end of the bearing55, although the shaft 56 also extends a somewhat greater distance andbeyond the end of the sleeve 51 where it terminates in a shoulder 64against which one end of a coiled tension spring 65 abuts its inner endsimilarly abutting a collar 66 surrounding the sleeve 51 and bearingfiatwise against the end of the bearing 55. Thus, the spring acts toforce said shaft 56 endwise and inwardly to the left as in Figure 7, itbeing now evident that the shaft 56 is capable of a limited endwisesliding movement within the sleeve 51, in fact, just enough tofrictionally engage and disengage the two clutch members 60a and 62carried at the outer ends respectively of the shaft 56 and the tubularsleeve 51.

Located just beyond the inner end of the shaft 56 is a clutch throw-outlever 51 pivotally mounted on the vertical rear wall of the nozzlechamber by means of a bracket 68 including a pivot pin 68a and a tensionspring 68b acting to maintain the lever 61 in a position substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of the shaft 56 and against movement on itsrockerlike foot portion 61a as clearly shown in Figure 2. At the outerextremity of the throwout lever is a fiat contact finger having itspointed end warped slightly out of its vertical plane. Coacting with thethrow-out lever 61 is an operating member 10 carried by the rotativehousing 2 and consisting of a cam-like lug projecting from the outersurface thereof, the location of this lug being such that upon theswinging of the handle into its vertical or storage position it contactsthe face of the warped contact finger 61 of the clutch throw-out leverthereby swinging it laterally to shift the shaft 56 endwise and thusdisengage the external clutch member 62. By this action of the clutchmechanism, the idler pulley 60 continues to rotate freely on the sleeve51, being driven by the belt 6| directly from the motor, whereas theagitator 25 ceases to rotate with the jack shaft 56 and remainsstationary until the handle is swung downwardly from its storageposition, whereupon the cam 10 releases the throw-out lever and theclutch is thrown in to connect the agitator 25 with the motor.

It may be added that, the cleaner of the present disclosure ispreferably equipped with means for yieldably holding the rotativehousing 2 in the several positions to which it may be shifted by thehandle. This means consists of a cam sector 1i fixed to the outersurface of the housing 2 and extending throughout an arc ofsubstantially 90 degrees circumferentially of said housing and normallymoving throughout a semi-circular path at the rear of the cleaner. Thissector Ii consists primarily of a radially projecting flange in whichmarginal notches are formed at each end, as well as a somewhat extendedrecess intermediate its ends, as clearly shown in Figure 3.' Coactingwith the handle position control sector 1| is a spring pressed arm 12mounted to swing on a pivot adjacent the rear axle l2 and, extendingvertically upward therefrom supports at its upper end a cam roller 13which bears against the edge of the cam sector under the tension of atorsion spring 14, with sufl'icient force to support he housing againstrotation in its extreme positions, as well as limiting the are throughwhich the handle may freely swing in what is commonly termed the workingrange. While the means shown for retaining the handle free swingingmovement, is a common expedient in suction cleaners, it is mentionedbecause some such position controlling means is especially desirablewhere the movement of the handle into and out of its upright or storageposition controls one or more functional changes in the operation of thecleaner.

To summarize the sequence of operations to be performed in convertingthe cleaner from on-thefloor to oiI-the-floor operation, the first stepis to swing the handle upwardly into its upright or storage position asshown in Figures 6 and 7. Inthis upward movement of the handle thefollowing alterations in the functions of the cleaner take place: First,the current supply to the headlight is out ofi" through the handlecontrolled switch 3|, thus economizing on the use of electric current bythe lamp as well as increasing the plate 31 from the converter port(having been released by the shifting of the handle position), and theninserting the converter fitting 44 into the opening to the fan chamber,and simultaneously closing the third speed motor circuit, thus startingthe motor for operation at the increased suction producing speedrequired for dusting tool operation.

And in conclusionit is to be observed that the various functionalalterations performed in converting the cleaner to off-the-flooroperation, are definitely related to each other, either as progressivesteps in a sequence or as interlocking functions whereby one cannot becompleted until one or more others have taken place, thus making forgreater flexibility and safety of operation.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoff-the-fioor operation, the combination of a casing havingsuction-creating means, a nozzle and a converter port, a motor fordriving said suction-creating means and having a plurality of speedregulating circuits, a movable handle, a switch controlled by themovement of said handle into a predetermined position to control one ofsaid circuits, said converter port. being adapted to receive a convertermember operative to control the other of said circuits, and meansoperative to regulate the order in which said circuits are opened andclosed.

2. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoif-the-fioor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing havingsuction-creating means, a nozzle and a converter port communicating withsaid suction-creating means, a motor for driving said suction-creatingmeans and having a plurality of different speed circuits, a movablehandle, a switch controlled by the movement of said handle to open oneof said circuits, said converter port being adapted to receive aconverter member, a switch operative by said converter member to closethe other of said circuits, and means acting to prevent the closing ofsaid last mentioned circuit until said first mentioned circuit has beenopened.

3. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromofi-the-fioor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing havingsuction-creating means, a nozzle leading to said suction-creating meansand a converter port also communicating with said suction-creatingmeans, a motor for driving said suction-creating means and provided witha plurality of circuits for operating the same at a normal and at arelatively high speed, a movable handle carried by said casing andadapted in its movement to and from a predetermined position to open andclose the normal speed circuit, said converter port being adapted tohave a converter member attached thereto and in its attachment to closethe high speed circuit, and

- a barrier normally preventing the attachment of said converter memberand releasable by said handle in its movement into position to open saidfirst mentioned circuit.

4. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromofi-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle and a normally closed converter port, suction-creating meanscommunicating with said nozzle and said converter port, a motor fordriving said suction-creating means, a movable handle carried by saidcasing, said motor having a plurality of speed regulating circuits, oneof said circuits being controlled by the movement of said handle to andfrom a predetermined position of rest, a

converter member adapted to be attached to said cleaner at saidconverter port and to control another of said circuits whereby saidmotor is operated at a diflerent speed during oflf-the-floor cleaningoperationand means acting to prevent the closing of one of said motorcircuits until the other has been opened.

5. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoiT-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle and a normally closed converter port, suction-creating meanscommunicating with said nozzle and said converter port, a motor fordriving said suctioncreating means, a movable handle carried by saidcasing, said motor having a plurality of speed regulating circuits, oneof said circuits being controlled by the movement of said handle to andfrom a predetermined position of rest, a converter member adapted to beattached to said cleaner at said converter port and to control anotherof said circuits whereby said motor is operated at a diflerent speedduring ofl-the-floor cleaning operation, and means for preventing themovement of said handle from its circuit opening position while saidconverter member is attached to said cleaner.

6. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoiI-the-floor cleaningoperation, the combination of a casing having anozzle and a converter port, suction-creating means communicating withsaid nozzle and said converter port, a motor for driving saidsuction-creating means, a movable handle carried by said casing, saidmotor having an auxiliary speed regulating circuit for increasing thespeed during off-the-floor operation and a switch in said circuit, aconverter member adapted to be attached to said cleaner and adapted tocontrol the action of said high speed switch during ofi-the-floorcleaning operation, and locking means acting to prevent the closing ofone of said motor circuits until the other has been opened.

'7. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoff-the-fioor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle and a converter port, suction-creating means communicating withsaid nozzle and said converter port, a motor for driving saidsuction-creating means, a handle carried by said casing and adapted tobe swung to and from a predetermined position of rest, said motor beingprovided with a plurality of circuits -for operating the same atdifferent speeds and each circuit having a switch therein, one of saidswitches being operated by said handle whereby the same is opened in themovement of said handle into its said predetermined position of rest,operating means for the other of said switches adapted to function inthe conversion of said cleaner to ofi-the-floor cleaning operation toclose its associated motor speed circuit, and means operative to preventthe closing of said last mentioned circuit unless said first mentionedcircuit is open.

8. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoiT-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle, suction-creating means having an air passage communicating withsaid nozzle and a converter port communicating with said air passage, adriving motor for said suction-creating means having a plurality ofcircuits for operating at different speeds, a handle carried by saidcasing and adapted to swing to and from a predetermined position ofrest, a converter member adapted to be inserted into said port, one ofsaid motor *circuits being adapted to be opened in the movement of saidhandle into its said predetermined position of rest, and .the other ofsaid motor speed circuits being adapted to be closed in the act ofattaching said converter member at said port, and means actuated by themovement 01' said handle to prevent the attachment of said convertermember except when said handle is in its predetermined position of rest.

9. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoff-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle, a suction-creating means having an air passage communicatingwith said nozzle, and a converter port communicating with said airpassage, a closure member for said converter port, a driving motor forsaid suction-creating means having a plurality of circuits for operatingat diiferent speeds, a handle carried by said casing and adapted toswing to and from a predetermined position of rest, a converter memberadapted to be inserted into said port upon the removal of said closuremember, a handle controlled switch adapted to open one of said motorcircuits in the movement of said handle into its said predeterminedposition of rest, a switch in the other of said motor speed circuits andadapted to be closed in the attachment of said converter member at saidport, and latching means normally holding said closure member againstremoval from said converter port but operative by the movement of saidhandle into its predeterfined position of rest to release said closuremember.

10. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoff-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle, suction-creating means having an air passage communicating withsaid nozzle, and a converter port communicating with said air passage, adriving motor for said suction-creating means having a plurality ofcircuits for operating at different speeds, a handle carried by saidcasing and adapted to swing to and from a predetermined position ofrest, a converter member adapted to be inserted into said port, one ofsaid motor circuits being adapted to be opened in the movement of saidhandle into its said predetermined position of rest, and the other ofsaid motor speed circuits being adapted to be closed in the act ofattaching said converter member at said port, and means actuated by themovement of said handle to prevent the attachment of said convertermember except when said hamdle is in its predetermined position andthence to lock said handle in its predetermined position of rest whilesaid converter is attached.

11. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromofi-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle, a suction-creating means having an air passage communicatingwith said nozzle and a converter port communicating with said airpassage, a closure member for said converter port, a driving motor forsaid suction-creating means having a plurality of circuits for operatingat dif ferent speeds, a handle carried by said casing and adapted toswing to and from a predetermined position of rest, a converter memberadapted to be inserted into said port upon the removal of said closuremember, a handle controlled switch adapted to open one of said mlotorcircuits in the movement of said handle into its said predeterminedposition of rest, a switch in the other of said motor speed circuitsadapted to be closed in'the attachment of said converter member at saidport, and latching means normally holding said closure member againstremoval from said converter port but operative by the movement of saidhandle into its predetermined positionof rest to release said closuremember and thence to lock said handle in said predetermined position ofrest while said closure member is removed from said converter port.

12. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromofi-the-fioor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having amovable handle, a suction-creating means, a motor for driving saidsuction-creating means and having a normal speed circuit and a higherspeed circuit for ofi-the-fioor operation, a headlight including a lampcircuit, switches in said circuits, a handle controlled switch operatingmember for opening and closing said normal motor speed and headlightcircuits, and means for converting said cleaner to ofi-the-fioorcleaning operation and simultaneously closing said higher motor speedcircuit, and means controlled by the movement of said handle and actingto prevent the completion of the converting operation unless said normalspeed motor circuit is open.

13. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromoff-the-floor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anozzle and a headlight, suction-creating means and a driving motortherefor carried by said casing, said motor being wired for normal speedoperation for on-the-floor operation and a higher speedfor'ofi-the-floor operation, means for controlling the speed of themotor including switches, said headlight including a. lamp circuithaving a switch therein, a handle carried by said casing and adapted tobe swung relatively thereto to and from a predetermined position ofrest, a switch-operating member controlled by the movement of saidhandle and adapted to actuate said normal speed motor switch and saidheadlight lamp circuit switch whereby both are open while said handle isin its predetermined position of rest, a converter member adapted to beattached to said cleaner and operative to close the switch controllingthe higher speed of said motor, and a barrier member normally acting toprevent the attachment of said converter member and releasable by themovement of said handle to permit said converter member to be attachedwhen the normal speed circuit is open.

14. In a suction cleaner adapted to be converted to and fromofi-the-fioor cleaning operation, the combination of a casing having anoz zle, a housing enclosing suction-creating means and a driving motortherefor journalled on said casing, a handle rigidly mounted on saidhousing, said motor having a normal speed for onthe-floor cleaningoperation and a higher speed for off-the-floor operation, means forcontrolling the speed of the motor including switches, a

switch-operated member carried by said housing and adapted in themovement of said handle to actuate said normal motor speed switch toopen the same while said handle is in a predetermined position of rest,a converter member adapted to be attached to said casing andsimultaneously to close the switch controlling the higher speed of saidmotor, and a barrier member operative by said handle to permit theattachment of said converter member only when said normal motor speedswitch has been opened. 15. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a.casing having a nozzle, a cylindric housing supported on said casing torotate about a horizontal axis, a motor mounted axially of said housing,a fan directly connected with said motor and enclosed within a portionof said housing forming a chamber and an exhaust outlet therefor, saidcasing having an air passage connecting said nozzle with said fanchamber at one end of said housing and a converter port communicatingwith said air passage, a handle fixed to said rotative housing, aplurality of motor speed regulating switches carried by said housing, astationary switch operating member mounted on said casing and located inthe path of said switch operating member whereby said motor regulatingswitches are opened by contact with said switch operating member in theswinging movement of said handle into a predetermined' position of rest,another motor speed regulating switch supported by said casing andincluding a shiftable switch member exposed adjacent said converterport, and a converter member adapted to be inserted in said port and tocontact the shiftable switch member of said last mentioned motor speedregulating switch.

16. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing having a nozzle, acylindric motor and fan housing supported on said casing to rotate abouta horizontal axis, a handle carried by said housing, said housing beingprovided with an inlet opening to said fan adjacent one end andcommunicating with said nozzle through a passageway having a converterport registering with said inlet opening, a closure plate normallyclosing said converter port, a switch for controlling the current supplyto said motor and adapted to be opened and closed by the swingingmovement of said handle into and from a predetermined position of rest,a motor speed increasing switch supported by said casing adjacent saidconverter port and adapted to be closed by the insertion of a convertermember into said port upon the removal of said port closure plate andlatching means acting to prevent the removal of said converter portclosure member, but operative in the movement of said handle into itspredetermined position of rest to release said closure plate.

DONALD G. SMELLIE.

